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The True Story of the Origin of the 
National Society of the Daughters of 
the American Revoli/tion. 



Several incorrect statements concerning the origin of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution having been 
published, it is deemed proper that a true account should 
now be given. The Society cannot be considered as a safe 
custodian of the records of the past if it allows to pass un- 
challenged faise-]»ierepresentations in regard to the present. 

On the 13th of July, 1890, a letter appeared in the 
Washington Post, written by Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, giv- 
ing an account of Hannah Arnett and her patriotic acts 
during the darkest days of the Revolution. Referring to 
the fact that the " Sons " had excluded women from their 
Society, she asked why that was done in a society founded 
to commemorate events in which women had so bravely 
borne their part.K On July 21st a letter from William 0. 
McDowell, of New Jersey, was published, in which he said 
that he was the great-grandson of Hannah Arnett, and 
called on the women of America to form a society of tlieir 
own since they had been excluded from the Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution at a meeting held in 
Louisville, Ky., April 30th, 1<S90. 



v^ 



Four Washington women answered the call — some of them 
by return mail — Miss Mary Desha, ]\Irs. Hannah McL. 
Wolff, Miss Eugenia Washington and Mrs. Louise Walcott 
Knowlton-Brown. These letters told Mr. McDowell of the 
WTiters' gratitude that one of the Sons remembered " that 
this world was made for women, too," of their delight 
that at last they were to have an opportunity to wear the 
" blue rosette " and be recognized as co-workers ; of their 
desire to help " keep green " the memory of the women as 
well as the men of the Revolution ; of their unlimited 
capacity for work, and asked — "What can we do?" 
In a few days a reply was received from Mr. 
McDowell asking that a meeting be held immediately, 
officers elected, and arrangements made for a grand meet- 
ing to be held on the 11th of October, the Anniversary of 
the Discovery of America — date particularly appropriate 
for the organization of a society of women, as it was to 
a woman's generosity and wisdom that Columbus was 
indebted for the means to fit out his fleet for his perilous 
vo3'age. 

Mrs. Brown offered her house for the meeting, and Miss 
Desha sent out the invitations. The ladies invited were : 
Miss Alice E. Meikleham, great - granddaughter of 
Thomas Jefferson; Miss Eugenia Washington, great- 
granddaughter of Col. Samuel Washington and great- 
niece of Gen. George Washington ; Mrs. Ellen Hardin 
Walworth, great-granddaughter of Col. .John Hardin, 
who was complimented for gallantry on the field at the 
battle of Saratoga ; Mrs. Wm. C. P. Breckinridge, great- 
granddaughter of Col. Isaac Bledsoe and great-grandniece 
of Gen. John Montgomery ; Miss 8. P. Breckinridge, her 
daughter, who was also great-granddaughter of Attorney- 
General John Breckinridge of Jefferson's Cabinet, and 
great-granddaughter of Gen. William Campbell of Kings 
Mountain fame ; Miss Virginia Grigsby, great - grand- 
daughter of Gen. Isaac Shelby, one of the heroes of Kings 



Mountain, first Governor of Kentucky, and CJommander 
of the Kentucky Troops in the War of 1812; Miss SalHe 
Norvell, grand-daughter of the great John Sevier of Ten- 
nessee ; Mrs. Ehzabeth Guion Pierson, granddaughter of 
Capt. Isaac Guion ; Mrs. Catherine Finnell Madeira, great- 
granddaughter Lieut. John Rieley, an officer in a Pennsyl- 
vania Regiment and gallant soldier, and Mrs. H. McL. 
Wolff, great-great-granddaughter of Hannah Arnett. All of 
these ladies, with the exception of Miss Meikleham, wlio was 
out of the city, expressed interest and promised to be present, 
if possible. At that meeting it was decided to postpone any 
action until the early fall, when " everyone " would get home 
again, and Miss Desha was requested to inform Mr. Mc- 
Dowell of that decision. This letter was written July 28. 

Washington, D. C, July 28, 1890. 
Wm. 0. McDowell. 

My Bear Sir: I notified the following ladies of the 
meeting at the home of Mrs. Brown : My sister, Mrs. Wm. 
C. P. Breckinridge ; her daughter, Miss S. P. Breckinridge, 
who is the great-granddaughter of Gen. Wm. Campbell, of 
Kings Mountain fame ; Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss 
Grigsby, who is the great-granddaughter of Isaac Shelby ; 
Miss Meikleham, who is the great-granddaughter of Thos. 
Jefferson, a granddaughter of John Sevier, of Tennessee ; 
Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, and several others. The 
rain prevented several of them from going, but those who 
were there were very enthusiastic, but they all thougiit it 
would be impossible to do anything until fall. Mrs. Brown 
and Mrs. Wolff leave the city on Thursday, and a great 
many people who will be interested are already gone. 
Washington is the deadest place in the United States in 
summer. 

The ladies asked me to tell you that they would be 
delighted to meet you in October. In the meantime we 
will be looking up the names of as many people as possible. 
Many people have asked if it would be necessary to furnish 
legal proof, and if the descent must be lineal. I have 
several friends who had distinguished uncles. 



I sent you yesterday a circular of our Society organized 
for the purpose of building a club-house for women. In 
talking it over to-night we thought it would be a 
delightful idea for the Daughters of the American 
Revolution to devote themselves to one department, and 
try to form an historical library and a picture gallery of 
the wives of the Presidents. What do you think of that? 
You know that we have been limited for so long to orphan 
asylums and hospitals, that in this, the dawn of our free- 
dom, we are " taking to " historical research and the study 
of parliamentary law, and to the founding of scholarships, 
libraries, art galleries and gymnasiums. 

I did not intend to write but a few words, but from tlie 
fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh. 

With great respect for the only man in America who had 
the gallantry to extend the right hand of fellowship to the 
Daughters of the Revolution, I am. 

Your friend, 

Mary Desha. 



Soon an answer came bearing the date of July 30, 1890, 
accompanied with a full plan of organization, a number of 
application blanks, a constitution and a beautifully bound 
blank book for the constitution when it had been amended 
and approved by the ladies who would form tlie National 
Society; also Mr. McDowell's application for membership 
and a check for his initiation fees and dues. This check 
and constitution are now in the hands of the proper officers, 
and are to be preserved among the archives of the Society. 
Immediately upon receipt of this package a meeting w'as 
called to be held in the rooms of Mrs. Wahvorth, at the 
Langham, August 9, 1890. ]\Iost of the ladies before men- 
tioned were prevented by absence from the city, sickness, 
and bad weather from attending, but sent letters expressing 
interest and promising active co-operation in the fall. 

At that meeting it was decided that the Society in Wash- 
ington should be the National Society, that in order to 



make a bogiiiiiing Mrs. Walworth should be Secretary, Miss 
Washington should be Registrar, Mrs. Levi P. Morton 
should be asked to be Treasurer, and Mrs. Mary Orr Earle, 
Mrs. Hannah McL. Wolif, Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, Mrs. 
Louise Walcott K. Brown, Miss Sophonisba Preston Breck- 
inridge, Miss Virginia Shelby Grigsby, and Miss Mary 
Desha, should form a Board of Managers. Mrs. Walworth, 
Miss Washington, and Miss Desha accepted the appoint- 
ments and immediately went to work. 

Miss Breckinridge writes under date of Awjnst 19, 1890. 

My Dear Mrs. Wahvorth : 

My aunt. Miss Desha, informs me that I was elected a 
member of the Executive Board of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution, and I wish at once to signify my 
willingness to serve and my appreciation of the honor of 
tlie appointment. Hoping that I may be able to be of ser- 
vice, I am. 

Very sincerely, 

Sophonisba Preston Breckinridge. 



Miss Virginia Shelby Grigsby replied at the same time, 
and in almost the same words. Mrs. Earle accepted the 
position and promised to send the application blanks, 
which were to be immediately printed, to friends in South 
Carolina. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Wolff being out of town 
did not reply at once, but were counted in as members. 
Letters w^ere sent to Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Dimmick wdio 
signified their intention of becoming members as soon as 
they could consult with Dr. Scott, who knew all about the 
service of their Revolutionary ancestors. A letter was 
written to Mrs. Roger A. Pry or. She replied, under date 
of August 22, 1890 : " My own people fought and bled in 
in the War for Independence," and my daughters are 
eligible through their father's family. 



Mrs. Pryor hatl written tlie following letter to Mr. 
McDowell, on July 27 : 

Capon Springs, W. Va., July 27, 1890. 

My Dear Mr. McDoivdl: 

I am niucli interested in the paper, for which I presume 
I am indebted to you, in which you propose to organize the 
Daughters of the Revolution. You may rely upon my 
cordial sui)port. I present also the names of my daughters, 
Mrs. Arthur Page Brown and Miss Pryor. 

Sincerely, 

Sara A. Pryor. 

Mrs. Darling accepted in these words, in a letter to Miss 
Washington : 

CuLPEPER, Va., August. 30, 1890. 

:(: ;t: * * * 

I thank you for suggesting my name as one of the 
Board of Managers, which I accept, but remember my 
personal affliction makes it impossible for me to be an 
active Vice-President, " for the patriots in Heaven could 
hear any motion that I could hear." I really have no aspi- 
rations or qualifications for any office of responsibility, and 
wisli others more qualified to fill the offices, but if there is 
a position for which I am qualified it is that of Historian. 
I nra glad to become a member of the Washington Society. 
I belong to the Nation, and am glad to enter the fold of the 
Capital. As our Society is the first let it be made the 
Mother House, and State Societies regard us as the head. 

Sincerely, 

Flora Adams Darling. 

Thus it will be seen that at least fifteen ladies were mem- 
bers of the Society Ijefore Mrs. Darling entered it. 

Letters were written to Virginia, Kentucky, and South 
Carolina, and blanks distributed among the ladies in the 
Departments, among wliom were found descendants of 
some of the most distinguished families in America. 



The following letter to Mr. McDowell gives an account of 
the meeting at the Langham : 

Washington, D. C, August 17, 1890. 

My Dear Mr. McDowell .•=»=*** 

I have postponed writing to you until I had something 
to tell. I took the Constitution and papers you sent to 
Mrs. Walworth and after reading them over we decided to 
call a meeting at the Langham, where Mrs. Walworth lives. 
Only a few ladies came, but we organized and elected offi- 
cers. Miss Eugenia Washington was elected Registrar, 
Mrs. Walworth, Secretary ; Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Treasurer. 
The Executive Committee consisted of the following ladies : 
Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, Miss Grigsby, Mrs. Wm. Earle, 
Miss S. P. Breckinridge, Mrs. Wollf, Mrs. Brown, and 
myself. I am acting as Secretary because Mrs. Walworth 
is too tired to do it. The departments are filled with 
women descended from the most distinguished officers of 
the Revolution. I found it very slow work getting around 
to them individually, and I put the inclosed notice in 
yesterday and to-day's papers. By the first of September 
most people will be home and we will try to have a meet- 
ing of all the members. Thanking you for all your inter- 
est and kindness, and hoping to see you soon in Washing- 
ton, I am ^r r • 1 

Your mend, 

Mary Desha. 

I have written to Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Levi P. 
Morton, and Miss Washington is sending notices to a 
great many friends. I understand that the Sons are talk- 
ing of considering the^question of our admission to their 
Society in February. I am perfectly appalled at their 
sublime arrogance. I sent Gen. Wright word that by 
February our Society would equal theirs and we would 
treat with them as equals and not inferiors. m. d. 

After the Constitution had been revised, the fees reduced 
from $5 to |3, life memberships from $50 to $25, a copy 



8 

was sent to members of the Board for their criticism. jNIrs. 
Darling said in a letter to Miss Washington, vSeptember 12 : 
" The Constitution meets my approval in every particular. 
If it is considered desirable, I can get it published in the 
Gotham.. 

Miss AVashington and Miss Desha went to the Smiths- 
onian, saw Mr. Clarke, the Assistant Registrar of the Sons, 
who very kindly gave up his morning to them, advising 
them what steps to take to avoid the mistakes the Sons 
had made in their organization, suggesting the changes 
necessary to make the application blanks suitable for a 
National Society and giving them good advice on many 
other subjects about which they needed information. Dr. 
Goode was not in, but wrote a most kind and cordial 
letter, on his return promising to assist the ladies in any 
way in his power. This promise he has since made good, 
assisting them by putting at their service his library, 
giving them the very best advice, helping them over 
rough places, always kind, considerate and thoughtful. 

On September 18, 1890, three hundred blanks were 
printed and also the following circulars which were small 
enough to be sent in a letter. 



Name : 

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REA^OLUTION. 

Objects : 

To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the 
Avomen and men of the Revolutionary 
period. 

To collect and preserve historical and biographi- 
cal records, documents and relics, and to 
obtain portraits of eminent American women. 
Initiation, |1.00. Animal, $2.00. Life membership, |25. 



9 

And just here it should not be forgotten that one of the 
earliest and most enthusiastic members of tlie Society was 
Mrs. Margaret Hetzel, Secretary of the " Mary Washington 
Memorial Association." She and her daughter, Miss Sue 
Hetzel, have probably been the cause of more distinguished 
people becoming members than any other two peoj)le in 
the Society. The application blanks were distributed, let- 
ters written, friends interviewed, notices j^ut in all papers 
that Miss Washington was the Registrar and all applica- 
tions should be sent to her, and preparations made for a 
large mass meeting in one of the Hotels in the early fall, 
when, on the 7th day of October, the following letter M^as 
received : 

Strathmore Arms, Washington, D. C. 
October 7th, 1890. 
My Dear Miss Desha: 

Mr. McDowell will be with me at this hotel to organize 
the National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution, 
October 11, 2 p. m. It is our joint request that you accept 
the office of President of the Board of Managers of the 
Society. We know of no one bettor equipped to fill the 
position than yourself and trust you will be pleased to 

accept. CI- 1 

^ bmcerely, 

Flora Adams Darling. 

A somewdiat similar letter was written to Mrs. Wal- 
worth ; Miss Washington was absent. Perfectly astounded at 
this sudden decapitation, but thinking that Mr. McDowell 
must have some good reason for such a seemingly discour- 
teous proceeding, feeling that it was more important tli at 
the Society be harmoniously started on its broader career 
than they should be recognized as leaders, these ladies 
determined to submit to what they supposed w^as the wish 
of Mr. McDowell, but under certain conditions however ; they 
informed Mrs. Darling that it w^ould be impossible to 



10 

organize the Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revohition, that it had already been done, but that the 
organization might be completed. The officers appointed 
would no doubt be glad to resign as they had accepted the 
position not for self-aggrandizement, but to help on the 
work. Mrs. Walworth writes : " As a prelimary organiza- 
tion has already been made, it will be necessary to dissolve 
that in proper form, and with due notice to the ladies 
taking part in it." Miss Desha wrote that she could accept 
no position until the ladies who had been invited by her 
to become members of the Board were provided for. She 
also sent the Constitution and other papers. On October 8tli, 
the following reply was received : 



My Dear Miss Desha: 

The papers just received. I shall be glad to see you 
Friday ; do not fail me, for Mr. McDowell is to be here to 
organize, and he desired me to appoint time and place. 1 
did tiot know that a teniporary organization had taken jjlace, as 
he wrote me this Society would be the National Society, 
and asked my aid after that order. I am only acting 
under him. I cannot be Vice-President, but do this to 
make ready for his arrival Saturday. I want to confer 
with the originators and understand the work so as to 
have no conflict. My idea has been to make this National, 
from whicli State Societies will spring. I cannot be on the 
Board of Managers, nor hold any other office unless His- 
torian of the Order. Mr. McDowell knows this, so does 
Miss Washington. Your Board of Managers is all to be 
desired and will all have places on the new Board, except- 
ing "myself. I wish you would see me Thursday night 
instead of Fi'iday — can you not? For yon. are the true head 
and must continue. You notify the ladies to be here at 
two o'clock on Saturday to meet Mr. McDowell to formally 
organize and confirm the temporary officers chosen — Mrs. 
Walworth, secretary; Miss Washington, registrar; Mrs. 
Ih'own, treasurer, a?id you President of the Board. I have 
submitted the names of tlie wives of the " Sons " for Presi- 
dent and Vice-Presidents ; then the ladies you chose. The 



11 

election may be delayed, but they can be nominated. This 
can be decided upon by Mr. McDowell, ivlio is the ''Pope " 
for one year. Please know that all your plans are approved. 

Sincerely, 

Flora Adams Darling. 

In a letter to Mr. McDowell, written by Mrs. Darling, 
these words occur : " The meantime have everything per- 
fected according to your ideas, I Avrite you frankly, for I 
regard you the " Head-centre " and liope loe shall be held 
accountable to the officers of the Sons for our good behavior. 
You will observe I am a disciple of the old school. I believe 
in men for the head of offices — ivomen for pleasure. Others 
think differently, but let me enjoy the freedom of advising 
with you from my point of view. I want you to place my 
name in your Book of Memory for future reference. I do 
not expect to return to Washington before October. I 
hope you can delay your coming until that date. Still 1 
do not expect to interfere ivith plans arranged. I shall be 
glad to co-operate with you, in an organization in which 
we are both interested, for the honor of our country." 

This was the condition of affairs when the meeting of 
October 11th was held. Mr. McDowell came, presided and 
was duly considered the " Pope and Head center." Miss 
Desha was elected Secretary pro tern. On October 1(S, an 
adjourned meeting was held, Mrs. Wm. D. Cabell presided. 
il/r. McDowell was in the background. Mr. Wilson L. Gill 
(who had seen the notice of the meeting in the papers, had 
called, introduced himself to Mrs. Darling, had been invited 
by Mr. McDowell to the first meeting) in one short week 
had taken the helm in hand " whence all our woes." After 
his advent Mr. McDowell was decapitated, deposed. From 
" Pope and Head center " he became, in the words of Mrs. 
Darling, " My creation." It is due to Mr. McDowell to 
state that he came to Washington thinking there was per- 
fect harmony among the ladies, not intending to give one 



12 

any preference above the other, and was very much 
astounded when accused of discourtesy. He states that he 
did not a})|)oint Mrs. Darling and was under the impres- 
sion that slie was acting as a member of the Executive 
Committee. 

The plain statement of the case is this : Mr. McDowell 
suggested the movement and wrote the Constitution — the 
ladies in Washington, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Miss 
Eugenia Washington and Miss Mary Desha organized the 
National Society — preparatory to the October meeting, and 
appointed the original Executive Board. Mrs. Darling 
accepted a place on that Board, August 30, 1890. 

Having decided that it was a " good thing," she came to 
Washington, announced that she had been appointed by 
Mr. McDowell " to organize," and took possession. 

This was permitted, partly — in deference to Mr. McDowell's 
supposed desire, and partly — because they believed .her to 
be the great-granddaughter of President John Adams, 
as she had so often stated. Having a Washington and a 
Jefferson, they were glad to welcome an Adams as a leader. 
The ladies enthusiastically expressed it "With a Washing- 
ton, an Adams, a Jefferson, a Star Spangled Banner and A 
brass band, we will sweep the countr3\" 

The reason that she gave for Mr. McDowell's prefer- 
ence for her as " organizer " (as she afterwards stated 
to one of the ladies) was that her superior social and 
literary position — her intimate acquaintance with the 
inner circles of select Washington society enabled her to 
do what " Government clerks " could not do. Although 
among this inferior class of beings were the descendants of 
the Washingtons, Hardins, Jeffersons, Montgomerys, and 
most of the leaders of '7 (5. 

Now she styles Mr. McDowell and the ladies in the 
Board (and this includes Mrs. Harrison) as " creatures of 
my making." 

In the article in the first issue of the Adams Magazine, 



Mrs. Darling states that she derived her inspiration from a 
speech of Mr. Wilson L. Gill, delivered in New York in 
December, at a meeting of the New York Society of the 
Sons. 

Before she left Washington, she stated to several ladies 
that she knew nothing of Mr. Gill until he called and intro- 
duced himself to her, after the notice had been put into 
the papers for the organization of the Daughters in Octo- 
ber. The speech printed by the Adams Magazine, profess- 
ing to be that delivered by him in December, is not the 
same one which he delivered at the New York meeting, 
and which w^as printed in the report of its proceedings. 

In that same imaginative article which has been described, 
" Good romance but poor history," " full of fancy, with but 
few facts," these words appear — speaking of Miss Washington 
Mrs. Darling says : " It has been our custom for most of 
the years since then (the war) to spend February 2 2d to- 
gether to honor the memory of Washington and Adams, 
and in forming the Society she has been to me what Han- 
cock was to Adams." She seconded all my motions, and as 
there were but two engaged in the enterprise last May, we 
had a majority. We decided to invite a large number of 
ladies to undertake the work with us. 

Miss Washington's statement is as follows : " I have 
never taken dinner with Mrs. Darling on the 2 2d but three 
times ill my life, and the facts about the first discussion of 
the " Daughters " are these : 

" After the action of the " Sons " at Louisville, excluding 
women, Mrs. Darling and I were discussing the subject and 
I said, 'why can't we form a Society of our own?' Mrs. 
Darling rephed, ' that is a capital idea, let's do it ; you 
will be President and I, Vice-President, Washington and 
Adams — I will ask Gen. Wright.' When 1 next saw Mrs. 
Darling I asked what Gen. Wright had said, and she 
replied that he said ' Not now, wait until the Sons meet in 
February and see what they will do ; ' and I replied, ' We 



1-4 

will do it without asking Gen. Wright or the Sons either.' 
There the matter rested until I wrote to Mrs. Darling of 
her appointment in our Board." 

When it is remembered that Miss Washington is the 
great-grandniece of General Washington and great-grand- 
daughter of Col. Samuel Washington, and that Mrs. 
Darling is the great-granddaughter of the fifth cousin of 
President John Adams, this assumption of equality, or 
rather superiority, is very amusing. 

The John Adams family deny her closer kinship, 
and the family of General Warren can find no mention of 
her ancestors in their family tree. 

Miss Desha suggested the design for the Seal — " the 
woman at the wheel " as being a fitting companion of the 
" minute-man at the plow." The Abigail Adams quotation 
was found by Mrs. Darling several weeks later and " fitted 
in," and the story started that the quotation had suggested 
the design to Mrs. Darling. Mrs. Walworth suggested the 
motto "Amor Patrite," which, was adopted by the Society — 
is still preferred by the Society — but was arbitrarily and 
unlawfully changed by Mrs. Darling. 

This is a statement of Mrs. Darling's conduct previous to 
and for a few weeks after the October meeting, and of the 
false statements in the papers and in the Adams Magazine. 

Nothwithstanding the courtesy with which the original 
organizers of the Society treated Mrs. Darling, the cordiality 
of their welcome, their overlooking the discourtesy (to call 
it nothing more), of her assuming superiority in taking 
possession of all of the honors of the Society, she has not 
f^xiled, since last December, to traduce those ladies, accus- 
ing them of the most nefarious proceedings, calling them 
" creatures of my making " and threatening them wnth ex- 
pulsion from the Society. Mr. McDowell, from whom she 
claimed her appointment, and who she declared " must be 
Pope for one year,'' has been completely ignored or vio- 
lently abused. With every issue of the Adams Magazine 



15 

she has become bokler and bolder in her false assertions — 
more and more positive in her assumption of power. 

All this has been quietly endured, the ladies believing 
that " peace and harmony " should be preserved at almost 
any cost, — until intoxicated by her own success, and 
emboldened by their silence, she has falsified history, 
making the pedigree of the Society of doubtful origin. 
Believing that under these circumstances it would be 
highly criminal to remain any longer silent, these ladies 
now speak, for the truth of history must be preserved. 



For the above article I am resj)onsible, having obtained 
the facts therein from personal knowledge, the statements 
of trustworthy people, and letters now in my possession. 

Mary Desha. 



LIBRARV CF CONGRESS 





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